Midfielders are an essential components of the round-leather game. In fact, easily losing the midfield battle can cost a team dearly in a football match.
Whether it’s a defensive midfielder who breaks down opposition attacks, an attacking one who can score goals and provide assists, or a box-to-box midfielder who combines everything well effectively; midfielders often decide how a match pans out.
Although attackers usually get the most plaudits due to their knack for scoring goals, the focus on stats in modern times has made midfielders to become more appreciated.
Here, FootballOrbit presents you with the top 20 best midfielders in the world.
1. Vitinha (PSG)
Known for his ball control, work rate and playmaking abilities, Vitinha has established himself among the best midfielders in the world.
The Portuguese is a highly creative and technically gifted playmaker, with excellent dribbling skills and ball control.
This allows him to operate effectively in a deep-seated playmaking role as a central midfielder.
Meanwhile, he is also capable of playing in a more advanced role as an attacking midfielder.
It is now very easy to forget the fact that he failed to make it at Wolves when he was much younger, as he struggled in the Premier League.
However, he has put all that behind and has taken his game to an exceptional level since joining PSG.
In 2024/25, Vitinha was a prominent player as the French club won a historic continental treble — including their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
Furthermore, he played 30 matches, netted 6 goals and laid on 10 assists.
Eventually, his performance earned him third place in the voting for the Ballon d’Or and was included in the FIFPRO World XI in 2025.
2. Pedri (Barcelona)
Pedri is renowned for his excellent technical skills, dribbling, ball control, passing, awareness, and vision.
Also, he posseses the ability to manage himself in tight spaces, exploit gaps, and play the final ball or penetrating passes with either foot.
This makes him an extremely effective playmaker.
Moreover, the Spaniard is also highly regarded for his dribbling skills, stamina, calm composure under pressure, and ability to play with either foot.
Whether playing for Barcelona or Spain, Pedri’s exceptional dribbling, ball control, and ability to navigate tight spaces makes him a joy to watch for many football fans.
Last season he played 59 times in all competitions, contributing 6 goals and 8 assists.
Ultimately, his performances contributed to Barca winning the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana.
3. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Although he was highly rated as a young prodigy, Arsenal took a major gamble when they signed Declan Rice from West Ham in July 2023 for a club record fee of £100 million.
The transfer made him the joint-most-expensive English player in history.
Fast forward till date and Rice has fully justified the fee.
Predominantly, he is a defensive midfielder due to his athleticism and tackling ability.
But in more recent times, he has developed into a more complete midfielder due to his ball carrying skills and ability to score goals from range.
Therefore, he is often deployed in a more offensive role as a number eight.
Furthermore, Rice has been praised for his passing ability and set-piece deliveries — the latter becoming an effective attacking weapon in the Gunners’ arsenal.
Last season, he played a total of 52 games, scored 9 goals, and provided 10 assists across all competitions.
Notably, he netted two sensational free kicks in a famous 3-0 home win over reigning champions Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Therefore, becoming the first ever player to score two free kicks in a Champions League knockout phase match.
Rice’s set-piece mastery has seen him contributed 6 assists in 25 matches this season, so far.
On a lighter note, he is one of the footballers with funny names.
4. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Known for his versatility and vision, Bellingham is one of the best and most well-rounded midfielders in the world.
Heralded as a future superstar since his younger years at Birmingham, he signed for Real Madrid for a fee of €103 million from Borussia Dortmund.
In his first season, Bellingham was Madrid’s top scorer in La Liga, helped them win the league title and the Champions League, and was voted La Liga Player of the Season.
Moreso, he has been included in the FIFPRO World 11 for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025) and finished third in the Ballon d’Or and FIFA The Best in 2024.
In 2024/25, Jude Bellingham scored 15 goals, and provided same number of assists in 58 matches.
Besides, he won the England Player of the Year award for 2025.
In 2025/26, he has made 26 appearances, netted 6 goals, and has 5 assists so far.
5. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Overall, Bruno has made around 600 total appearances in his career so far — contributing about 350 combined goals and assists.
For Manchester United alone, he has contributed towards 196 goals in 308 games. He’s been their talisman since his arrival at Old Trafford.
Besides, Fernandes may be beyond his peak years at 31, but he remains a vital cog in the United team.
Last season, he contributed 19 goals, 19 assists, in 57 appearances across all competitions. This is despite the club’s dismal form.
Often, when the Red Devils need a moment of magic, they look to Fernandes instead of their €200 million triumvirate of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
And he rarely disappoints on a good day.
Moreover, this season before his unfortunate injury, the Portuguese midfielder had five goals and seven assists in 17 appearances.
Only Mbeumo has more goals, and no other player has more than three assists.
Furthermore, Bruno provided 37 goal contributions in his last 40 games for his country — proving to be the fulcrum of a very talented Portugal.
6. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Cole Palmer left Manchester City for Chelsea to get more playing time. He has since became the Blues’ best and most important player.
His ability to perform in big games and tournament finals has seen him earn the tag “big game player”.
Although he was not at his usual best last season, the attacking midfielder netted 18 times and managed 14 assists in 52 matches.
Palmer’s efforts helped Chelsea win both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. He was named Man of the Match in both finals and received the Golden Ball in the latter.
He was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or and was included in the FIFPRO World XI.
7. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Widely regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, Musiala is known for his dribbling, passing, goal threat, and technical skills.
A versatile player, Musiala can play in any attacking or midfield position.
In 2024/25, the German played 44 matches, notched 21 goals, and provided 5 assists across all competitions.
Unfortunately, in July 2025, he suffered a fractured fibula along with a dislocated and broken ankle after colliding with PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
However, to everyone’s relief, Jamal Musiala has returned to action recently and will be gearing up to re-establish himself.
8. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
Szoboszlai has been an important for Liverpool since joining from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
The midfielder was very integral last season as the Reds clinched the Premier League title and reached the League Cup final — contributing 8 goals and 9 assists in 49 games.
However, Szoboszlai has become Liverpool’s most important player this season amidst their woeful form.
His versatility has seen him get deployed in various positions, and always delivers.
So far, the Hungarian has five goals and same number of assists in 24 games.
9. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
Very intelligent, aggressive, and strong in the air, Joshua Kimmich equally has an eye for free space due to his superb vision and knows when to charge forward and when to sit back.
Originally a full-back, he has transformed into one of the best midfielders in the world.
Very comfortable in possession, Kimmich is also known for his precise passing and crossing, and can shoot the ball well.
Last season, he laid on nine assists and scored a goal in just 28 appearances — despite being a defensive midfielder.
10. Moises Caicedo (Chelsea)
It took some while for Caicedo to find his feet at Stamford Bridge after a big money move from Brighton.
There were several error-strewn performances during his debut 2023/24 season, but he’s now head-and-shoulders above every other ball-winning midfielder in the Premier League.
Therefore, he’s regularly being compared with former Chelsea legendary defensive midfielders, N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele.
Last season, Caicedo made 50 appearances across all competitions for the Blues as they went on to become world champions.
11. Joao Neves (PSG)
Praised for his mature, highly developed mental attributes on the field since a young age, Joao Neves is a quick, agile and technically gifted central midfielder.
He’s recognised for his passing and tackling skills, quick reactions, and close ball control.
The Portuguese is also known for his stamina, bravery and composure on the ball, as well as for his balance and the ability to retain possession in tight spaces when under pressure.
In addition, despite his relatively slight frame, he ranks high on the percentile for aerial battles won.
Last season, he joined PSG on a huge sum from Benfica. He has since matured into one of the best midfielders in the world.
Neves scored 7 goals, and provided 10 assists in 59 appearances in all competitions as the Parisians won their first ever UEFA Champions League title.
Furthermore, he currently has 8 goals and 3 assists in 22 games so far this season, as he continues to cement his place at the top.
12. Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
There’s barely a weakness in Bruno Guimaraes’ game, with the central midfielder boasting of defending, passing, carrying and scoring amongst his skills.
He has not just become a key figure for Newcastle — where he’s now captain — but also for Brazil.
Last term, he registered 5 goals and 8 assists in 47 matches across all competitions.
Moreso, Guimaraes became the first Newcastle United captain to lift a domestic trophy in 70 years — or any trophy in 56 years — after leading the team to victory in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Despite the departure of Alexander Isak, Guimaraes is one of the reasons why the Magpies continue matching on. He has 5 goals and 5 assists in 26 games so far.
13. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
An underrated player, Nicolo Barella is a dynamic midfielder with good technique, vision, stamina, and physical strength.
He can dribble through a defence, score volleys and start counter-attacks. He knows how to find the right passes and is box-to-box.
Most importantly, the Italian can win back possession quickly and recover the ball.
In 2024/25, he made a total of 56 appearances, registering 3 goals and 9 assists as Inter Milan remarkably reached UEFA Champions League final against all odds.
14. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Like Barella above, Federico Valverde is another player whose performances doesn’t get much deserved credit.
Though, this can be attributed to the fact that he’s always surrounded by superstars who overshadow him at Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan is known for his work rate, pace and shot power, which makes him one of the best midfielders in the world.
Valverde mainly plays as a central midfielder but is also able to play as a defensive midfielder and occasionally a right-back.
Last season, he played a whopping 65 matches, registering 11 goals and 8 assists.
15. Rodri (Manchester City)
When fully fit, Rodri is the best midfielder in the world. His Ballon D’Or win in 2024 is testament to that fact.
He has an unerring ability to win possession back with timely tackles and positioning.
In addition to his defensive abilities, Rodri also possesses accurate passing and vision — allowing him to operate as a deep-lying playmaker from the heart of the midfield
Furthermore, the Manchester City midfield maestro has the ability to maintain possession under pressure, allowing him to dictate the tempo of matches effectively.
16. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Alexis Mac Allister has often been a reliable player for club and country.
The World Cup winner is not just among the best midfielders in the Premier League, but on the planet.
Mac Allister was instrumental as Liverpool won the Premier League crown in Arne Slot’s debut campaign as manager last season.
Hence, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year and was also one of six nominees for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year.
Likewise, the Argentine was also nominated in the 30-men shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, eventually finishing 22nd.
17. Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
Often, Martin Zubimendi’s versatile style of play draws comparisons to renowned players, notably Sergio Busquets.
He showcases composure and control, guiding plays and adjusting the game’s tempo.
His role involves initiating plays from deep positions, displaying precise decision-making.
This saw him attract significant interest from Liverpool, but opted to remain at Real Sociedad.
But last summer, Arsenal were able to convince him to make the move to the Emirates Stadium.
Furthermore, Zubimendi’s aptitude for receiving passes and creating space is reminiscent of Busquets, reflecting a deep understanding of the game and the art of crafting opportunities.
Additionally, his technical abilities, including dribbling and deep runs, align with top midfielders, while his ball retention in tight spaces mirrors qualities seen in players like Xabi Alonso and David Silva.
He was part of Spain’s victorious squad in UEFA Euro 2024, as well as reaching the 2025 UEFA Nations League final.
18. Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Considered one of the best midfielders in the world, McTominay is known for his physicality, work rate, aerial dominance, and knack for scoring crucial or late goals.
Besides, he is lauded for his ability to score goals from runs into the box, headers and volleys, as well as his physical defensive play.
Since transferring to Napoli, he has been deployed in an attacking role, becoming their dominant attacking force in the process.
Sensationally, McTominay emerged as a focal player for Antonio Conte’s side as they won the Serie A title in his debut season.
He contributed 13 goals and 6 appearances in 39 total appearances.
The Scot was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and received a nomination for the Ballon d’Or.
In November 2025, Scotland faced Denmark in their final 2026 World Cup qualifier, needing a win to qualify automatically.
McTominay opened the scoring in the third minute with a stunning bicycle kick, a move which commentator Steven Thompson compared to basketball player Michael Jordan.
The game finished 4-2 to Scotland, who joined the list of countries that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
19. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool)
Known for his quality on the ball, ability to play out of pressure, and his intercepting, tackling, and dribbling abilities, Ryan Gravenberch is one of the best midfielders in the world.
At the start of the 2024/25 campaign, Gravenberch was shifted by new manager Arne Slot to a more deep-lying midfield role.
He has since won plaudits for his performances in this new position, as he became one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
Moreover, the Dutchman received praise for his significant role in Liverpool’s successful league triumph.
At the end of the season, Gravenberch was awarded with the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
He contributed 4 assists in 49 matches.
Furthermore, this season, Gravenberch has improved his attacking output as he has 4 goals and 3 assists in 21 appearances so far.
20. Gavi (Barcelona)
Pedri’s midfield partner at Barcelona, Gavi is one of the best midfielders in the world due his dribbling, anticipation, intelligence, vision, passing, first touch, close control, change of pace, and quick reflexes.
Both youngsters are regularly likened to club legends, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.
Last season, Gavi made 42 appearances, scored 3 goals, and provided 3 assists as Barca won La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
Honourable Mentions
- Fabian Ruiz (PSG)
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan)
- Rayan Cherki (Man City)
- Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
- Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Arder Guler (Real Madrid)
- Koke (Atletico Madrid)
- Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
- Tijjani Reijnders (Man City)
- Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
- Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)
- Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
- Carlos Baleba (Brighton)
- Elliott Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace )
